VERNON BUSH

"One of the wonderful things the Bay Area is known for is its music and the artists who have emerged here. You'll find jazz, rock, rhythm & blues, swing, country -- you name it, we've got it. And all that wonderful music is coupled with wonderful artists, few of which will strike you as incredible. Then along comes Vernon Bush"

- Lysa Allman, San Francisco Bay View

Photo by Martha B. McCord Photography

Vernon is a singer, composer, musician, recording artist and actor, who worked closely with the late Whitney Houston (he starred in her very first music video -- "You Give Good Love"). He has also worked and sung with Stevie Wonder, Taj Mahal, Joan Baez, Dr. Ysaye Barnwell from Sweet Honey in the Rock, and jazz vocal legends, Nancy Wilson and Bobby McFerrin as well as many other gifted performers. With his musical groups, ("The Vernon Bush Group", New Soul Century Singers and "VSOUL"), he's opened for artists Gladys Knight, Stanley Jordan, Mickey Hart, and Michael Franti & Spearhead and has toured all over the world with his unique inspirational sound. He is a member of the highly imaginative a cappella group Sovoso and he is also a featured vocalist with the Glide Ensemble Choir at the world-renowned Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco (as seen in movie, "The Pursuit of Happyness"). As the son of a once prominent Baptist minister in New York City, he grew up in a church community and has been singing from the time he could walk. He directed his first choir at the age of fifteen and continues to work with several choirs in the Bay Area as well as his own Voice Church Inspire Choir as a musical director.

A passionate and consummate voice teacher and coach as well, Vernon has taught professional performers and aspiring singers from New York to Europe to South Africa as well as San Francisco and conducts his intimate and popular Voice Church Home Concert Celebrations, Gospel Sing-a-Longs and workshops.

Performing Artist Vernon Bush Opens His Mouth and Blows Minds

From Jonathan Fields, host of the Good Life Project:

He could sing, really sing, but he was scared to tell anyone else. Even his parents were in the dark. So he made himself a deal. If his voice was still in hiding when he turned 13, he’d let it out.

The years passed and Vernon finally hit his 13th birthday. It was time to go public. When the head of his church asked if anyone wanted to take the solo, Vernon stepped up. People were surprised, who was this unassuming kid to take the lead?

But when he opened his mouth in front of the church and, for the first time ever, let his voice out, jaws dropped and time stood still.

That moment launched a new path for Vernon that has led him to travel the world singing, teaching, directing music, composing and landing a gig as a soloist at the legendary Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco, where he’s backed by a gospel choir that’ll send chills through your entire body.

In today’s episode, Vernon and I explore his incredible journey. But, that’s not all…

Today is a GLP TV first. A live performance by an amazing vocalist.

I couldn’t leave without asking Vernon to sing. He had no idea I was going to ask, but he strapped on his finger shakers, grabbed a djembe drum and began to sing.

No matter what you do, be sure to stay tuned through the final few minutes of this episode.